Music Man DarkRay - Does Darkglass Make the Stingray Special.... Specialer? - LowEndLobster Review

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Ernie Ball Music Man Darkray: www.music-man.com/instruments...
Hey Everyone! Today we are finally reviewing one of the craziest Stingray Special variants to date from Ernie Ball Music Man.... The DARKRAY! At first glance it may look like a regular Stingray Special, but there is a lot more here than meets the eye. Featuring a specialized and proprietary Darkglass 2 band preamp with built in Darkglass Alpha and Omega distortion circuits. They've implemented a gain and blend control to tame these beastly tones as well. Will the Darkray be worth it over the regular Stingray Special? Let's find out!
This bass and all my other basses with rounds are strung with SIT Foundation Nickel Plated Stainless Steel 45-105(125) unless otherwise noted. Check them out at sitstrings.com/
Info on my signal chain, setup and more: • Lobster's Filming & Re...
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Пікірлер: 180

  • @chrismorris3897
    @chrismorris3897 Жыл бұрын

    Please don't throw anything at me, but I think that's my favorite Music Man!

  • @sharnoldpapa7339
    @sharnoldpapa7339 Жыл бұрын

    I got a Darkray 5 about a month after they came out. It doesn’t eat batteries any more than a normal Special does. I do use the onboard OD a lot but more so for a slight drive versus wide open. I’ve owned a lot of Rays and it’s my fav by a long shot.

  • @AnaObscura
    @AnaObscura Жыл бұрын

    THAT PHANTOM SOLO WAS SO EXTRA AND SOUNDED SO COOLL😍. big goth points🦇

  • @vanpet1993

    @vanpet1993

    9 ай бұрын

    Nightwish is extremely underrated these days tho... People are missing out on a genius that is Tuomas Holopainen...

  • @thinkhendrix
    @thinkhendrix Жыл бұрын

    you are the best channel for basses. im a bassist. i have 30 basses. i do all my own adjustments and most repairs. when i look for videos on a bass i wanna buy its such a pain in the ass. but you, youre to the point. youre not boring and you have a way of talking the same way my history teacher used to. you have a way of talking, youre smart, so am i, but its hard to get people to listen if youre too boring. youre easy to listen to and watch like a good teacher in a cooking video. youre the best at demo-ing these basses in a way that shows the features tones and isnt boring but i wish you would use a pick as well as smash your fingers to get that geddy tone, so we can hear ALL the tones. but youre my number one bass demo info everything guy aside from daves guitar world teaching repairs. i even enjoy the cheesy temple of time music when you change your claw back, funny. good shit!

  • @made.online2149

    @made.online2149

    Жыл бұрын

    you are the best channel for basses. im a bassist. i have 30 basses. i do all my own adjustments and most repairs. when i look for videos on a bass i wanna buy its such a pain in the ass. but you, youre to the point. youre not boring and you have a way of talking the same way my history teacher used to. you have a way of talking, youre smart, so am i, but its hard to get people to listen if youre too boring. youre easy to listen to and watch like a good teacher in a cooking video. youre the best at demo-ing these basses in a way that shows the features tones and isnt boring but i wish you would use a pick as well as smash your fingers to get that geddy tone, so we can hear ALL the tones. but youre my number one bass demo info everything guy aside from daves guitar world teaching repairs. i even enjoy the cheesy temple of time music when you change your claw back, funny. good shit!

  • @bDoom88
    @bDoom88 Жыл бұрын

    This is one of the best sounding stingray model near the original one (pre EB) . Darkglass, moreover, is a great bass equipement producer .

  • @ampthebassplayer
    @ampthebassplayer Жыл бұрын

    The PHAAAAAAAAAAANTOM of the Darkray is there...inside yoooooour mind!

  • @philipmcadam5339
    @philipmcadam5339 Жыл бұрын

    Thanks Lobster, I have been waiting for this one and it did not disappoint.

  • @r.l.rachel740
    @r.l.rachel740 Жыл бұрын

    Nice, Very nice. Thx for the review Lobster.

  • @MegaStadtfeld
    @MegaStadtfeld Жыл бұрын

    I got one in black and its really good. Love it.

  • @meyersguitars2196
    @meyersguitars2196 Жыл бұрын

    I love that bass! I really liked how you showed the different ways to use the effects. Most other reviews have all been maxed out it seems with no EQ adjustments. Great job!

  • @jaydoode15
    @jaydoode15 Жыл бұрын

    This is some of your finest playing, that bass sounds gnarly with the effects!

  • @cashth
    @cashth Жыл бұрын

    I really liked the sounds you got out of this…was considering a Dingwall for a future purchase but this bass sounds so good and I loved the Darkglass crunch

  • @davetuttle9701
    @davetuttle9701 Жыл бұрын

    Keep up the great work

  • @50beowulf
    @50beowulf Жыл бұрын

    EBMM and Darkglass turning Lobster into a metalhead! \m/

  • @tronnyplaysguitar
    @tronnyplaysguitar Жыл бұрын

    Phantom of the darkray was dope man, loving that distortion tone!

  • @sicilianmammalian
    @sicilianmammalian Жыл бұрын

    Glad you finally played all around the world Im happy I wasn’t the only who thought that, I’ve always been interested in these hope darkray makes a jazz plate someday, maybe even loaded strat bodies

  • @robertjova5400
    @robertjova5400 Жыл бұрын

    Thanks Rob Sounds too cool 😎 Thanks

  • @Shwarzencofmenmozer
    @Shwarzencofmenmozer Жыл бұрын

    Lobster having 5 claws of fun! Wow enjoy and good review!

  • @korimore
    @korimore Жыл бұрын

    I can tell from a way you were jaming, you are in love . Nice piece

  • @BassMusician7
    @BassMusician7 Жыл бұрын

    Love the tee-shirt! The Bass is nice too

  • @MooreBass
    @MooreBass Жыл бұрын

    Hey Butch here, Wow! Two 5-claw reviews in less than three months! Music man is very innovative, they don't become complacent. Like the Stingray special you reviewed a couple of weeks ago, they are always looking to improve. For a gigging bass player playing across many genres, the DarkRay would be bass to cover them all, and without a massive pedal board! Super nice bass, thanks for the review!

  • @TheShaneGuy
    @TheShaneGuy Жыл бұрын

    I wish this bass was mine. It's awesome. Great video.

  • @johnwood9878
    @johnwood9878 Жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much for this. I know I asked for it on TB, but you did justice on this review. I have the 5h and its a keeper. If you really think about value, the best comparison is this vs a special with a dg head. I compared it to a recording I did with my last set up and this bass is king over it. Everything at my fingers whether then having to go for my pedal board or head unit. This is an awesome instrument once you learn how to use the preamp.

  • @talmichles3260
    @talmichles3260 Жыл бұрын

    I think this is my favorite sounding bass on this channel. Totally deserves 5/5

  • @bassimprovjams3772
    @bassimprovjams3772 Жыл бұрын

    You we’re definitely having a great time here lol I have a couple DG pedals but if they had a all black 5 Reid take it I was told about these a year before they were released and I forgot about them then when I seen them get released I thought it was really cool to see

  • @spod32827
    @spod328272 ай бұрын

    What a great sounding bass.

  • @Guyallknowing
    @Guyallknowing Жыл бұрын

    I stumbled on one these 2 hours ago for $1500. Absolutely mint. So of course I had to. I love it. Thanks for providing this video, because I had no idea what the darkray was about. Cheers

  • @LowEndLobster

    @LowEndLobster

    Жыл бұрын

    What a steal! Enjoy!

  • @Bocchi_Mochi

    @Bocchi_Mochi

    8 ай бұрын

    What color ?

  • @DanParker9000
    @DanParker9000 Жыл бұрын

    Super cool!

  • @BullyThaKidd
    @BullyThaKidd Жыл бұрын

    Lobster with the solo + bass faces.. F yesssss

  • @bobbarker14
    @bobbarker14 Жыл бұрын

    I always worry that your lobster claw won't change back to a hand. Does this concern anyone else?

  • @gabedestellano

    @gabedestellano

    2 ай бұрын

    One time, it turned into a massive roasted marshmallow. Didn't it?

  • @skeletonhellraisers
    @skeletonhellraisers11 ай бұрын

    Our bassist just got one of these, a black one...what a great sounding bass!

  • @HapyLLIuTeJIb
    @HapyLLIuTeJIb Жыл бұрын

    This bass is absolutely gorgeous!!!!!! 😍But I would really prefer the Darkglass Tone Capsule built in instead of the Alpha / Omega. And 5th string (with at least 18mm spacing) of course 😆

  • @hiraxxvandana8408
    @hiraxxvandana840811 күн бұрын

    very nice demo. if you can please also create content about how you EQ your amp with your stingrays, that will great. keep it up!!!

  • @chriscuthbertson
    @chriscuthbertson Жыл бұрын

    Phantom.... love it.

  • @MrPrincebass99
    @MrPrincebass99 Жыл бұрын

    Love my black DarkRay. The Darkglass pre sounds great and the Alpha-Omega od/fuzz circuit rocks. You have to tweak it right, but it's definitely a worthy addition to the EBMM Stingray family.

  • @michaelkeefer4293
    @michaelkeefer4293 Жыл бұрын

    I really loved the "doom" sound in both alpha and omega settings.

  • @jimvandenhandel5980
    @jimvandenhandel5980 Жыл бұрын

    The red circuit had the best slap sound I've ever heard!

  • @MikeTaffet
    @MikeTaffet11 ай бұрын

    Oh, now someone make a Stingray with a built-in Sans-Amp!

  • @stagecoachrobbery

    @stagecoachrobbery

    Ай бұрын

    Ernie Ball SansRay!

  • @kahlelveadiltureth4216
    @kahlelveadiltureth4216 Жыл бұрын

    I am loving this bass! Also loving the bass balance with and without a strap section as I have a screwed up left side of my body, so weight and balance of a bass matters a lot!

  • @carpediemarts705

    @carpediemarts705

    Жыл бұрын

    Idea. Instead of putting strap around neck, just hang strap on right shoulder. I've also seen someone mount bass on a mic stand. I suffered very bad left shoulder impingement for 3 years. My checkout of my friend's Thunder Bird lasted seconds .

  • @zackh7570

    @zackh7570

    6 ай бұрын

    There are guitar/bass stands that hold the bass at playing height and allow you to play standing without having to strap the instrument on yourself. Idk what they are called specifically but I've seen them used live a few times live

  • @crimsone35
    @crimsone35 Жыл бұрын

    That OD looks fun af 🤣🤣

  • @Below-Average_Joe
    @Below-Average_Joe Жыл бұрын

    Dang Lobster, you were enjoying that Darkglass capsule!😎

  • @pjmuck
    @pjmuck Жыл бұрын

    A really fantastic sounding 'Ray. I'm a Darkglass amp user, and I love their amps, but I personally don't see the point of having an on board distortion preamp when you can just step on a pedal (or better yet, one of their pedals). But after watching this, I could see this being fun. :)

  • @bzadlo
    @bzadlo Жыл бұрын

    I think Musicman makes great stuff. However, I still don’t get Darkglass. I love dirty tones but prefer dirty amp tones to pedals. I’m just not a fan of their distortion character. However, it’s great to hear that so many others have their needs met with this bass.

  • @nj1255
    @nj1255 Жыл бұрын

    The pre-amp would have been more or less perfect if they didn't just make the distortion circuit a simple wet/dry blend, but rather a clean lows/distorted highs blend. I feel like this is a mistake many bass distortion pedal builders make. Darkglass have the clean lows/distorted highs blend in their pedals, so I don't understand why they didn't include it in this pre-amp.

  • @wanieldeir2
    @wanieldeir2 Жыл бұрын

    Nice bass! Built for Phantom.

  • @waitercheckplease
    @waitercheckplease Жыл бұрын

    These are some of the best faces you've made so far in your videos.

  • @stephencshapiro
    @stephencshapiro Жыл бұрын

    Love the random Phantom solo 😂

  • @SteveBlancoMusicianWarrior
    @SteveBlancoMusicianWarrior Жыл бұрын

    Ebony boards rule. Need to add a Stingray to my collection at some point. Thanks for the video and Rachmaninoff. Cheers from Florida 🥂

  • @julianthesmooshyhusky8976
    @julianthesmooshyhusky8976 Жыл бұрын

    I wish my stingray had a cliff burton switch

  • @MooreBass
    @MooreBass Жыл бұрын

    Oh! I forgot to mention I heard a little riff of Rush What You're Doing! Cool!

  • @LowEndLobster

    @LowEndLobster

    Жыл бұрын

    Hehe yep I butchered it a bit but I am a biiiig Rush fan

  • @BARTFUNKBASS
    @BARTFUNKBASS Жыл бұрын

    That thing sounds incredible!

  • @markblackstad8705
    @markblackstad8705 Жыл бұрын

    Really cool sounding bass although I would struggle to find much use for that Alpha/Omega circuit with most of the stuff I am playing now. That bass screams for a 5th low B string imo. with that circut. Throw "Pinky" into the comparison mix video. She is my favorite Ray of yours so far. I would prefer the double humbucker and the 3 band eq over the darkglass preamp. And by the way, a 5 string in that version too!

  • @rinaldiankingz
    @rinaldiankingz Жыл бұрын

    I believe this is my first time hearing distortion/overdriven tone on your channel😆

  • @Basslightning666
    @Basslightning666 Жыл бұрын

    Excellent Bass, love the OD switch, and multiple tone selection. Definitely save the money for the real deal, not the Sterling series, though those are ok in the upper end models. Made in USA is always better in my experience...

  • @scarab944
    @scarab944 Жыл бұрын

    I did not expect to see hype man Steve Ballmer today, but I'm not disappointed.

  • @mhunt8957
    @mhunt8957 Жыл бұрын

    Sounds awesome but irks my simplistic side. I agree with a few other comments here im old. It does still have that signature MM sound which I'll take any day over 99% of other pickups

  • @jimlewin8042
    @jimlewin804210 ай бұрын

    Dammit! Why did I have to watch this? Now I need one too!

  • @intoxicatedparanoia8746
    @intoxicatedparanoia8746 Жыл бұрын

    You should do a review on the Tagima TBM 4, it’s a stingray style with a 3 band eq and I think it’s in expensive too and it doesn’t sound bad either. Plus it could be a good modding platform as well

  • @michaellowe121
    @michaellowe121 Жыл бұрын

    Great job Lob! Have you had a chance to review the 35 th anniversary stingray 5 special?

  • @drakkarlogan9070
    @drakkarlogan9070 Жыл бұрын

    Great bass. Just wish the headstock either matched the body or was black. 👍

  • @Naraku150
    @Naraku150 Жыл бұрын

    ...... If I was a professional bass player and not a beginner all over again THIS bass really has my EYES!

  • @abouc
    @abouc Жыл бұрын

    This would be great for those times bringing a pedalboard isn't ideal, plus practicing with headphones.

  • @zahirmawji3178
    @zahirmawji3178 Жыл бұрын

    Awesome video as always, Lobster! Question for ya (and the community): for a guy new to the "stingray" humbucker/sound, what model would you suggest for that signature sound? Can a G&L humbucker model produce the same tone? Stingray noob, not bass noob lol

  • @ramshaar2597
    @ramshaar2597 Жыл бұрын

    1 real unic piece of quality she come with her own nature a beast or a lady you choose !🙂👍

  • @PorchBass
    @PorchBass Жыл бұрын

    Having played one, I would like one. But the five is £3500 in the UK

  • @ericemery4018
    @ericemery40189 ай бұрын

    Merci la langouste pour cette super vidéo! Je préfère la stingray Special.

  • @batandy23
    @batandy23 Жыл бұрын

    Have you don the meteora? I havent seen it. I already bought the aerodyne on your recommendation(and thanks i love it) but Id love to see that one. I was gunning for that initially

  • @robjgolde3221
    @robjgolde3221 Жыл бұрын

    I’ve always been a little indifferent to Stingrays. I get that they were an innovative design when they first came out and they’ve excelled in pretty much every context they’ve been put in and they do feel amazing to play, but their tone never did much for me. That being said, this Darkray sounds so good and so mean. I love it. And it looks so good in that finish with the ebony fretboard and roasted maple neck.

  • @12to3Guitars

    @12to3Guitars

    9 ай бұрын

    Yeah I'm starting to turn around on these... I've known them as the "toilet seat" bass for my entire life but now they're starting to look pretty nice to me heh

  • @joermnyc
    @joermnyc Жыл бұрын

    The clean slap tone sounds like the Seinfeld theme’s slap tone, even though that’s a keyboard, not an actual bass.

  • @LizardWizard_
    @LizardWizard_ Жыл бұрын

    This is soo cooooooooool

  • @blowfly3000
    @blowfly3000 Жыл бұрын

    @LowEndLobster, what are your thoughts on the new Michael Kelly Pinnacle Bass?

  • @Andyanddiana467
    @Andyanddiana467 Жыл бұрын

    Never thought I'd hear Rush's "What You're Doin'" and Andrew Lloyd Weber's theme from Phantom of the Opera in the same video.

  • @francescobonafine9329
    @francescobonafine932910 ай бұрын

    Sorry I did not catch it in the video, what's the closest to the neck knob used for?

  • @flogginga_dead_horse4022
    @flogginga_dead_horse4022 Жыл бұрын

    I have to admit I rarely ever play distorted bass so probably overkill for me... I have pedals already too.

  • @andrewbecker3700
    @andrewbecker3700 Жыл бұрын

    Remember when these first came out, I saw a demo of one on a KZread channel. It's something I couldn't wrap my head around? I hope this isn't the future of bass? My regular Stingray Ray34 in firemist silver is all I need. With the Hartke HD75 combo, I have more knobs, switches and sliders than I know what to do with already? If for some unknown reason I'd want even more drive, isn't a pedal gonna do the same thing? Can't get into those tones.

  • @ileutur6863
    @ileutur6863 Жыл бұрын

    I love the idea of it, but with no adjustability for the distortion I just don't see the point. I dial in my darkglass pedals much less fuzzy and more cutting and punchy, the EQ is a very important part of that

  • @EnricoMarazzi
    @EnricoMarazzi Жыл бұрын

    I’m not sure the on-board effects can be a valid option versus a pedal board, especially in a live situation in which we likely need to switch around different configurations while still using our hands for playing. Just my 2 cents 😊

  • @kenherbst9460

    @kenherbst9460

    Жыл бұрын

    I agree. The OB effects sound awesome, but they really only work in very specific situations. I'll stick with my StingRay Special 4H along with my Darkglass and other pedals. However, If you don't already own a StingRay then, sure, this is a killer bass!

  • @nodoor9132
    @nodoor9132 Жыл бұрын

    Look at Low End Lobster playing Larry Graham😁

  • @LowEndLobster

    @LowEndLobster

    Жыл бұрын

    You're the only one to mention Larry! I loooooooove his version of Phantom

  • @Blakeadam52
    @Blakeadam52 Жыл бұрын

    Today you went from Lowendlobster to ROCK LOBSTER

  • @AndreMaurici07
    @AndreMaurici07 Жыл бұрын

    what a wonderful bass! do you know about the batteries life span in this bass? this circuit and led probably consume a lot of power

  • @smeagle3295

    @smeagle3295

    Жыл бұрын

    It takes 2 batteries, so better than you might think. You can play for a little less than 2 hours a days for about two years according to the forum on the Ernie ball website.

  • @greganderson2239
    @greganderson22397 ай бұрын

    You have a lot of basses dude

  • @gabedestellano
    @gabedestellano2 ай бұрын

    How come I've never caught a lobster that can play any instruments that fucking well?

  • @chrisplummer846
    @chrisplummer846 Жыл бұрын

    ...But how well does it balance without a strap while you're standing?* *To anyone reading this is a joke. Please do not do this.

  • @LowEndLobster

    @LowEndLobster

    Жыл бұрын

    LOL

  • @AllwangMC
    @AllwangMC Жыл бұрын

    epico

  • @CC-fi3pp
    @CC-fi3pp Жыл бұрын

    I prefer the old ones.

  • @kharybaker868
    @kharybaker868 Жыл бұрын

    Did this give you any new ideas for improving your DIY Darkray?

  • @LowEndLobster

    @LowEndLobster

    Жыл бұрын

    The biggest takeaway from this bass as well as the DIY darkray is that I should use a Ray4HH next time for the added cavity space! The DIY darkray was so frustrating because of how tight the cavity was

  • @pCeLobster
    @pCeLobster Жыл бұрын

    The only problem with this is that I like Darkglass drives to be last on my board 😭

  • @rl-ub9hx
    @rl-ub9hx Жыл бұрын

    Come to the Darkside❤

  • @stephenfoley1261
    @stephenfoley1261 Жыл бұрын

    MM prices here in Australia have a massive premium compared to most USA manufacturers. Having said that, this is the only MM bass I wouldn't save my pennies for. Hate that distortion tone.

  • @T-Hawkeyes
    @T-Hawkeyes Жыл бұрын

    What other basses have received 5 claws?

  • @MichaelCozineSounds
    @MichaelCozineSounds Жыл бұрын

    So this is the bass that the Funky Phantom would play.

  • @JeffSmithbureau13
    @JeffSmithbureau13 Жыл бұрын

    I've been hoping you would review these but I need you to like it a little bit less lol. I want one of these so bad and now even more, if that's possible 😬

  • @braddietzmusic2429
    @braddietzmusic2429 Жыл бұрын

    Gimmicky to me. You may eliminate one pedal maybe on a bass pedalboard. Maybe if you only have one overdrive/distortion as your pedalboard, with this bass maybe you’ll eliminate that. My bass pedalboard is small (3 pedals) so this bass won’t eliminate a pedalboard for me. I’d prefer they use the extra selector and space in the cavity to do some pickup switching options, and return that all-important mid eq. Interesting but will probably be ultimately be seen as a curiosity. I’m glad EBMM experimented and tried something different, but it doesn’t move the needle to a better or more useful Stingray for most of us, I suspect. I suspect people will buy this as much for its visuals and pretty finish and matching headstock as anything related to Darkray. I’d give it maybe “4 claws” max because of the goodness of the instrument having nothing to do with Dark ray, and certainly not “5 claws” because of the missing mid eq that was sacrificed or left off this instrument.

  • @goldenwilliams
    @goldenwilliams Жыл бұрын

    Didn't realize how expensive these things have gotten. Almost 3k for a music man? Sheesh

  • @MattHelps
    @MattHelps Жыл бұрын

    Doom Lobster!

  • @mr_ozzio5095
    @mr_ozzio5095 Жыл бұрын

    Don't forget to listen too Lobster's new Doom/Grind/Death Metal band.. "MUTATED CRUSTATION", on all usual digital platforms and CD or Ltd Red Vinyl😈🤘👹

  • @bassnyc1
    @bassnyc1 Жыл бұрын

    You gave this a 5 claw rating but your Valenti got 4? A Stingray special paired with a DG A/O pedal is different how? Anyway, include your "Mint o ray" in the upcoming comparison

  • @PorchBass

    @PorchBass

    Жыл бұрын

    It's different to a pedal and is very well balanced when you switch the fuzz in and out. As long as you like the fuzz tone as it comes without too much tweaking. I thought even the clean mode sounds better than a stock MM

  • @vanpet1993
    @vanpet19939 ай бұрын

    if only stingrays didn't have neck stability problems with humidity changes, this would be a perfect bass... :(

  • @aldito7586
    @aldito7586 Жыл бұрын

    The way I see it if a person is dead set on getting a USA Stingray, for the extra 1 or 200 bucks you might as well get this bass.

  • @WhiteNacho
    @WhiteNacho Жыл бұрын

    One of the best sounding basses you've demo ed.

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